Day 8 : Orientation

Today marked the day of our orientation into the Japanese schooling system. It was rather overwhelming, yet exciting at the same time. Really, the idea of how intensive the courses are going to be got me especially pumped up. I cannot wait to be taking Japanese classes from 9am till 12pm every day, 5 days a week. It's just so cool. Taking that into consideration, I know for a fact that I'll be able to learn the language quite fluently during the 10 months that I'm here. There's no doubt about it in my mind. I will be able to. I will come back to America in August 2011 with the ability to listen to my Japanese music and know what is being said without the aid of a translation. That alone is enough to make me excited. And it's a small thing in and of itself, but I can't help but be happy.

The other day I talked about having doubts about being here. They're still there, but they vary throughout the day. Some moments I'll be excited to be here, the next moment I'll want to go back home. I believe it's normal, though. The thing is, I miss my friends, I miss my family, I miss the things familiar to me. And that's perfectly normal. Even when one is just moving out of their house and into a new place that's in the same country, the longing of what once was comes and goes. There's no shame in admitting that I have these feelings while in Japan. But I won't let them define me while I'm here. I will not let them bring me down. And I certainly will not let them ruin my time here. This is a journey of sorts. Hopefully one that will make me a better person, one that'll open my eyes to the world and help lead me on the right path in life. If nothing else, it will be a great experience that will be with me for the rest of my days. So, notwithstanding the occasional doubts that enter my mind, I will have a great time here, and I will make everyone proud.